Trip Summary from a WDW Vet.

[Dexican]

Well we went to DLR 6 days between June 21st-28th. Have to say we really loved the parks. We thought California Adventure was a neat little park but it was a long haul to get to the pier. Our favorite ride at DCA was California Screamin, we saw Toby Mcguire (Spiderman) riding Screamin on Sunday and that was pretty cool.... Now let me compare and contrast the similar rides/attractions that both WDW and DLR have.
Soarin-The same but it feels more "real" in Condor Flats instead of the Land
Tower of Terror-Better at WDW but not by a signifcant margin
Toy Story Mania-Same
Goofy's Sky School vs. Primeval Whirl- Goofy's Sky School was better
Grizzly River Run vs. Kali River Rapids- Grizzly by a lot but we only rode it once and that was at night and we got drenched. Let's just say my wife didn't want to ride it again.
Aladdin/Nemo shows- Aladdin was a lot better IMO.

DLR
Splash Mountain- We love Splash at WDW #1 ride for us however, at DLR it just didn't measure up to the WDW one. Seemed like they rushed you through the ride and it lacked the story WDW one has.
Space Mountain-Better at DLR but it was harder for me to ride. I am 6'5 and fit in the rockets at WDW better as in my knees have room.
Small World- So cool Queue at DLR, not so much at WDW
Pirates- Was so much better at DLR.

I am sure I am forgetting some attractions but I am going on little sleep

Now I will review our food choices in the park and in Downtown Disney.
Redd Rocket's Pizza Port.
You get a large slice of pizza but quite frankly we thought the pizza wasn't any good.
Cafe Orleans- Pommes Frites were awesome as was Monte Cristo but no doubt this place is way overpriced.
Blue Bayou- Had 2 desserts and a Mint Julep and it cost us 20 bucks. It is high but I reccomend doing it just for the atmosphere but again the food is way overpriced there.
Tortilla Jo's-Steak Nachos were superb A+++++
Rainforest Cafe-Breakfast was pretty good there.

Hotel Choices-
Best Western Meridian Inn-For the price this is a really good hotel. If you don't mind the distance (10 minute drive from DLR) I recommend it.
Doubletree on the City Dr.-Very nice hotel and again I recommend it if you don't mind the drive.

By the way Indiana Jones is way better than Dinosaur!!!!!

Anyways we enjoyed every second of our Honeymoon at DLR and wouldn't change a thing!

 

[Hound 109]

Excellent recap, Dexican.

Thanks for posting....i remember you had done quite a bit of intel work prior to going. I'm glad that you all had a great time.

I think most here would agree with your take on most of the rides (& their WDW counterparts). & you're right....Screamin' is a fun little coaster.

If you make it back, snag a room at one of the Harbor hotels & you'll avoid that commute each day.....but since it was your honeymoon, I'm sure you had a great time no matter where the hotel was located. My favorite line in your recap:

I am sure I am forgetting some attractions but I am going on little sleep

Honeymooners.



Thanks again for posting....we love to hear back from folks who visit Walt's park for the first time.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Glad to hear that you had a great trip.

Jack

 

[Dobie]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the "real" Disneyland!

I totally agree with your ride comparisons, especially Kali vs GRR and ESPECIALLY Indy vs. Dinobore.

Come back soon!

 

[ssuriano]

Thanks for the recap and comparisons!

 

[HappyHaunt]

I agree with you on everything except Indiana Jones, I really enjoy Dinosaur better. IJ was just too much darkness and seemed more about just whipping your around then anything else. I was disappointed. lol I loved having big dinosaurs jumping out at you. lol

But I really agree about Splash at WDW. It is just so much brighter, and you get to see so much more of the story that way. I liked it still at DLR, but not as good. POTC of course is better at DLR, also agree there.

We are DLR vets, but after our last trip we all agreed (besides the humidity of FL) that we are starting to favor WDW.

 

[OrcaPotter]

Most of your report seems consistent with everything else I've read, so that's good to know! Can't wait to experience it all for myself next week!

 

[skiingfast]

Really nice to see you come after havning spent a lot of time with us planning.

Glad you had a great honeymoon.

 

[Magalex]

Thanks for the review! We are WDW vets planning a DL trip for next July 2012

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Tobey Maguire was there on Sunday? We were there too and I had my eyes peeled for celebrities, but didn't notice any. Lucky you! Glad you had a nice Honeymoon! Congrats!

 

[christine*]

I liked Tower of Terror better at WDW than DL too. I can't pinpoint exactly why. I think the lobby area might be bigger at WDW and has more stuff to look at? For a while I thought the one at WDW was taller, but I think they're the same.

 

[HydroGuy]

I liked Tower of Terror better at WDW than DL too. I can't pinpoint exactly why. I think the lobby area might be bigger at WDW and has more stuff to look at? For a while I thought the one at WDW was taller, but I think they're the same.

I learned this tidbit while on the Segway tour at DCA last year - see http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/08/28/a-cool-segway-to-see-disney-california-adventure/ - the DCA version of ToT is the same size as DHS. However, DCA had a height restriction from local authorities above which they would have to add a light on the structure to alert aircraft. Of course they did not want a light to ruin the ride, so they built DCA version 40 feet underground so they could get the same size but a height above ground which is under the limit.

 

[Dexican]

Tobey Maguire was there on Sunday? We were there too and I had my eyes peeled for celebrities, but didn't notice any. Lucky you! Glad you had a nice Honeymoon! Congrats!

He clearly didn't want to be reconized as soon as we tried to snap a picture he put his sunglasses back on. It was pretty cool he had an entourage with him that included Frankie from Boy Meets World also played on Remember the Titans (was a big guy then now very small!) and Noah's best friend from the Notebook who dies at war forgot his name. We were next to ride Screamin when they told us we couldn't get on the next train and we wondered why and then my wife points out Spiderman walking through the exit gate.

 

[MyMuse]

Thank you for the review!

I'm a first-timer going in August for the D23 Expo. We are going early to take in the parks. Soooooo excited!

I do believe Matterhorn will be down though.